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"You Wouldn't Sleep Well Before Facing Izzy"- A Tribute To Izzy Dezu

Following the shock death of Shelbourne FC footballer Izzy Dezu this week during a game, Now That's What I Call Sport paid tribute to the 16 year old this morning.

FAI medical director Dr Alan Byrne, Dave Collins who managed Izzy at Cherry Orchard FC and Lola Ayetigbo, whose son Shay died in similar circumstances playing for Belvedere in 2015 all joined us this morning.

Listen back in full by clicking play on the link below.

First up was Dave Collins who managed Izzy for Cherry Orchard, as he remembers his first meeting with Izzy and his opinion on the young man.

“As soon as Izzy came up we knew he had a chance. His attitude was excellent straight away; he just wanted to be there.”

“When he did become part of the group his personality was a huge bonus.”

Collins went on to describe the scary thought of even though all things to help this situation were in place, people who were trained and the correct equipment it’s not always enough.

“We are medically trained as coaches, sometimes it’s just out of our hands”.

“You hope we can get to the bottom of it, it’s happening too regular at the moment.”

FAI medical director Dr Alan Byrne also joined us, to explain the term Sudden Adult Death Syndrome.

“It is the term used to describe death occurring in a younger population up to 35 years of age”.

“It’s an abnormal rhythm disturbance in which the heart isn’t pumping properly and then stops.”

Dr Byrne went on to discuss extra fields in which basic survival training should be provided which includes parents, team mates and even being taught in school. Another way to avoid this situation in the future is to introduce screening at school boy level.

“Hopefully out of something as tragic as what happened to Izzy we can use that as a springboard to encourage training across all areas.”

Lastly on the show was Lola Ayetigbo whose son ‘Shay’ died in similar circumstances while playing for Belvedere in 2015. She says the family of Izzy need the support of the community in this sad time and has gone out of her way to try and connect with the Dezu family as one of very few people who understand the hurt they are experiencing.

“The next day I was driving all over the place to find that woman, just to be there. Just to tell her everything is gonna be okay.”

You can listen to the full interview above.

Elsewhere on today’s show we had Eamon Fennell and Pat Gilroy, as they slept out for Gaelic Voices For Change to raise awareness for homelessness. New Dublin hurling coach Anthony Cunningham also joined us, as did Leinster’s Leo Cullen, following their win over the Exeter Chiefs at the RDS.